NeoClassic » Neoclassical Art

The characteristics and composition of neoclassical paintings

Neo — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:00:30 +0000

One man, dressed in rags, sits stoically in his throne as a laurel wreath is gently placed atop his head by an otherworldly angel. Surrounding him is his audience; men and women varying in facial expressions, dress, and appearance. All these personalities are so dissimilar to one another, yet so familiar to us. There [...]

Neoclassicism’s attempts to recapture Roman and Greek civilizations

Neo — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 21:35:16 +0000

“The most important aspects of classical art,” observed German historian and archaeologist Johann J. Winckelmann, “is its noble simplicity and calm grandeur.” As an archaeologist, Winckelmann became inspired by the ancient artifacts being recovered at the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum. In the late 1700s, the popular stylization in European art was baroque and [...]

The development of neoclassical painting style in Europe and USA.

Neo — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 21:20:18 +0000

“The only way for us to become great”, observed Johann Joachim Winckelmann “lies in the imitation of the Greeks”. With this idea, the German-born art historian Johann Joachim Winckelmann encapsulated the movement of neoclassicism. Seeking to recapture the essence of classical Greek and Roman art, neoclassicism became the widespread movement in visual art in [...]

Jacques Louis David

Neo — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 21:09:35 +0000

When the name “Napoleon Bonaparte” is mentioned, the visual that immediately pops into minds is one of the former Emperor sitting on a horse, braving the stormy weather, and gesturing his hands forward to symbolize the inevitability and greatness of his conquests. This iconic image was intended by design to become indelibly linked with [...]

The story of Jean August Dominique Ingres

Neo — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:53:43 +0000

In our society, an obsession with the human body is commonly interpreted to signify a perversion. To neoclassical painters, such a cynical view is understandable. Not because the person himself (let us be honest about the popularly accused gender) is perverted per se, but because etiquette and morality has trumped understanding and reason. This [...]

The importance of Joseph Marie Vien for the neoclassical art

Neo — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 20:44:23 +0000

The vision of Joseph Marie Vien had for his paintings were to resurrect a classical style of art that had been led astray. Born in France in 1748 during a time when revolutionary sentiments began cooking, Joseph Marie Vien became a revolutionary in his own form. He began a movement through his neoclassical style. [...]

The story of the ambiguous Anton Raphael Mengs

Neo — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 20:31:18 +0000

The movement of neoclassicism in art is often mistakenly characterized by its secularism. French painters that became the leaders of the neoclassical movement such as Jacques Louis-David and Joseph Marie Vien dedicated their paintings to support the political and social changes of their time. Namely, the French Revolution which sought to reject in one [...]

Angelica Kauffmann’s artistic triumph

Neo — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 20:16:36 +0000

With the rise of reality television, it has become banal for young girls to become child stars. Unfortunately, with the present attention deficit disorder society, their success is often brief and limited. Knowing how easily fame can be achieved as well as lost, it magnifies the impressiveness of the accomplishments of Angelica Kauffmann. Born [...]

Characteristics of Neoclassical Architecture

Neo — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 15:16:43 +0000

What defines this timeless movement?

Even the most inexperienced and naïve of the world of architecture would be capable of identifying the architectural landmarks that define the neoclassical movement. Indeed, many that are standing today remain as visually impressive as when they were constructed. Descriptive terms such as ‘classical’ and ‘imposing’ are among [...]